Scottish Government Agency SEPA warns of surface water flooding risk ahead of unsettled weather
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A week of unsettled weather may cause surface water flooding, Scotland's flood forecasting authority is warning.
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is advising Scots and visitors to Scotland to keep updated, be mindful of potential disruption and plan ahead for any travel before across the period to the weekend.
The guidance comes after last week’s significant flooding in the run-up to New Year which saw SEPA issue 10 regional flood alerts, 29 local flood warnings and a severe flood warning at Dumfries.
Impacts across the country were significant, with levels at the River Nith being the highest ever recorded, and higher than Storm Frank in 2015 and flooding in December 1982.
In coming days, prolonged rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday combined with melting snow is likely to see minor river and surface water flooding, in many parts of Scotland.
SEPA believes it could impact on transport routes, although peak river levels in southern Scotland are expected to be well below those experienced last week.
But the authority says minor disruption is likely on transport routes, with isolated property flooding in places given the saturated nature of the ground.
Marc Becker, flood duty manager at SEPA, said: “Across New Year’s week we’ll see Scotland face a further period of unsettled weather.
"Prolonged rainfall on Tuesday and Wednesday, combined with melting snow, is likely to see minor river and surface water flooding, across the country, with the potential for impact on transport routes.
“Across the week, we’ll see Scots and visitors to Scotland out and about, travelling home or returning to work.
"We’re urging people to keep updated, register for SEPA’s free Floodline messaging service, be mindful of potential disruption, and plan ahead for any travel across the period to the weekend.”
SEPA’s three-day flood forecast is available at scottishfloodforecast.sepa.org.uk
Scots can add one more New Year’s resolution by signing-up for SEPA’s free Floodline message service by calling 0345 988 1188 or by clicking floodlinescotland.org.uk
